(SUMMERDALE, Ala.) – Baldwin EMC staff and employees are currently operating under the cooperative’s natural disaster response plan, as Hurricane Isaias moves toward the Gulf Coast. All Baldwin EMC offices are closed to the public until further notice. 

“Our disaster response plan has been activated as of Friday morning,” says Baldwin EMC’s Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations Mark Ingram. “We have taken all standard precautionary measures, and our emergency preparedness teams have confirmed that all our preliminary requirements for storm preparation have been met.” 

The cooperative urges members to plan for power outages starting Friday evening. Members whose medical conditions require electricity are urged to make alternate plans for their healthcare needs as soon as possible.

Ingram says line crews will respond to outages as long as it is safe for them to do so. Mutual aid line crews from other cooperatives are also planning to respond if needed. 

“Once weather conditions become too dangerous for employees to work in the field, we’ll temporarily pull them in,” Ingram explains. “As the storm passes, our crews will begin assessing damage and restoring power as safely and quickly as possible.”

Following the storm, Baldwin EMC urges members to remain indoors until the “all clear” notice is given by the emergency management system or your local law enforcement. 

The co-op also offers these tips for safety during power outages:

• Stay away from fallen power lines. Assume every power line is energized and dangerous.
•  If you use a generator, keep it outside in a well-ventilated area. Using generators inside can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Turn the generator off and let it cool down before adding fuel.
• Do not connect a portable generator to your home’s wiring unless you have a properly installed transfer switch in place. Connect it only to appliances, using appropriately sized power cords.
• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid the risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours, and a full freezer for about 48 hours if unopened.

To report a power outage to Baldwin EMC:

• Call 251-989-6247 or 800-837-3374.
• First, text “Baldwin” to 85700 to opt in to outage texting. Once enrolled, text “Outage” to 85700 and select the address where the outage is located.

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